Keyboard structure



Feb. 12, 1952 J .STRENG v KEYBOARD STRUCTURE Filed July 6, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Cl@mmmmmm J. STRENG 2,585,699

KEYBOARD STRUCTURE Feb.12,1952

Filed July 6, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 FlG. 5

2.4 `f 3B l5 FIG. 6

i 2te/21 V I in e @A 9 INVENTOR JAN STRENG ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 12, 1952 KEYBOARD STRUCTURE Jan Streng, Redding, Conn., assignor to Remington Rand Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 6, 1949, Serial No. 103,215

15 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the keyboards of business machines, and the like, and it is particularly concerned with a dustproof keyboard structure. k

As we know, accumulations of dust and foreign particles, particularly erasure fragments, tend to clog, slow up, and interfere with the moving parts of such machines.

The general object of this invention is. to prevent such dust and foreign particles from entering through the keyboard down into the mechanism of the machine.

This general object is accomplished by means of compactly set keys and improvements in the structure of the keys as Well as in the related framework, whereby dust and dirt particles are prevented from entering between the keys to the mechanism below.

A more particular object of this invention is a compact, dustproof keyboard structure of block keys, wherein the several keys and the related adjoining framework have complementary arcuate Walls, and the arcs of such walls have a radial point concentric with the common pivot of the several key levers.

A further object of this invention is a compact 'keyboard serving to seal out dust and foreign particles from entering the machine, such compactness being obtainable by keys in arcuate block form having slidable contact with one another and with the related framework.

Another object of the invention is a character *I key for use in business machines and the like, such key having an elongated block structure with arcuate front and rear Walls.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, v

,business machine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical, longitudinal secm tion taken on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of a vertical transverse section through the center of one of the keys;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 but with a limited space between the keys;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical, longitudinal section taken on lines 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a fragmentary section of the keyboard in Fig. 4 with one of the keys in depressed position; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a fragmentary vsection of Fig. 1.

. In the several drawings similar characters serve to identify similar parts.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a keyboard designated generally II. About the keyboard is the related framework I2 of the machine. The keyboard comprises several horizontal rows of keys I3 in ascending step formation. The several keys are fast to key stems I4. The key stems I4 project upwards from conventional levers I5 into slots I6 in the bodies II of the keys I3. The levers I5 pivot on a transverse shaft I8 which acts as a common pivot for the several key levers. The keys are molded fast to the stems I4 by means of a cold plastic bonding material I9 placed in the slot I6 about the key stems. Some of the plastic enters a hole 20 pierced through the stem I4. Upon hardening of the plastic substance I9 the keys are molded and bonded fast to the key stems. The several keys are provided with deep or vertically elongated bodies II in block form. The top surface 2I of each key body I'I is provided with a finger well 22. In this well is stamped a character 23, indicative of the nature of the key.

The several keys I3 and the related framework are in close proximity to one another rendering the keyboard as compact a unit as possible Without interfering with the movement of the several keys. In relation to one another the several walls of the keys have a sliding contact movement, as in Figs. 1, 2 and '7. This compactness is achieved by the block form, as well as by the arcuate front and rear wall structure of the several keys. The sliding contact movement of the arcuate walls is enabled by having the radial point of the arcs of the front key walls 24 and the rear key walls 25 concentric to the common pivot I8 of the key levers I5. The hard plastic nature of the keys and their smooth walls further aid in this sliding movement.

The arcs of the front walls are convexed, and those ofthe rear walls are concaved. The several keys I3 are adapted to swing by their levers I5 on the pivot I8 in an arc when depressed. The front and rear Walls of the several keys are curved in conformity with the arc formed by the swing of such levers, as shown by the dotted lines opposing key walls, and the radial points. of such arcs and key walls are concentric. This relationship of framework and keys is best shown and exemplified in Fig. 2. There we can see the convexed front walls 24 of the numeral keys of the rst row of keys 29. Complementary to such convexed key walls is the concaved rear wall of the front frame-piece 3l. The radial point 32 of the arc of such concaved rear wall 3i) is common to that of the convexed front walls 24 of such row of keys 29.

The side walls 4l] of the several keys I3 have a flat surface and their relative position to one another and to the wall of the adjoining side framework 39 is such as to allow a sliding movement of the one as against the other.

The transverse space bar key 33, in the manner of the other keys i3, also has front and rear arcuate walls which are complementary to the arcuatewallsof ther-'rows of keys on either side of it.

In the formoi the invention shown in Figs. 1', 2 and? the several' keys are in slid'able contact with one another and to the related adjoining framework. The compactness ofv the keyboard in this formis such that the keyboard acts` as a dustprocf cover tothe mechanism of the machine, sealing out dustand dirt.

Figs; 4, 5 and 6 represent a form of the invention differing from that in Figs. l, 2 and. '7' only in that a 'limi-ted space 34' exists between the walls of the several keys. In this formof the invention suchzspaceislimitedonly vto that which will allow' movement of the keys without their rubbing againstv one another. ,A` dustproof keyboard is'alsoobtained Where this` limited space is allowed. Dust is prevented from entering into the machine not only by such limited space, but also Ybecause of the' combination of the concaved and convexed wal-ls of the several keys in adjacent complementary position to one another. This complementaryrelation of the arcuate walls of the keys to one' another `affords an added obstruction to dust particles, for it can readily be seen that the-'crests35 of the. convexed key walls, as shelteredby the adjacent concaved key Walls will create abl'ock to the entrance of dust and dirt.

Dust is further kept out of the machine by means of the'denth ofthe bodies l l' of the keys I3. Thekey bodies l lextend vertically down into the machine, so that' theiront, side, andrear` walls of' each key are faced by the walls of the immediately adjacent keys. In the several drawings there'are4 shown by way of examplek keys 36 in depressed position and their depressed position relative to the adjacent keys. In this construction of the keys with `relatively deep bodies no opening is disclosed beneath the bodies of those keys not depressed and, consequently', dust is walled out and prevented from entering beneath the keys to the mechanism of themachine.

A stillv further obstruction thatl prevents the entrance of dust through the keyboard into the machine isfound in the transverse frame bar 31 located immediately to the rear of the keys of the first row29. This bar, as in Fig. 2, extends slightly overthe tops of the rear walls of the numeral keys 29; Limited against a. bottom shoulder 38 of' this transverse frame bar 31 are the tops 2I of the keys of the first row 29. In this construction there is nov space existing between the keys and the bar 3 and the entrance ofl dust at this point through the keyboard is blocked. A tail llll depends from the transverse frame bar 3l at the rear of the first row of keys The tops of the keys of the rst row 29 when depressed do not go below this tail, with the result that no opening for the entrance 0f dust into the machine is disclosed on depressing such keys.

While I have described what I consider to be a highly desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that changes in form could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact form herein shown and described, nor to anything less than; the whole of my invention as herein set forth and as hereinafter claimed.

What I claim is:

l. In` a keyboard, keys, each having an elongated block body, a character and finger well on the-top surface of the key, a convexed front Wall and a concaved rear Wall, the arcs of the front and rea-r walls having afcornmon radialipoint,

each. keyY body having: a. slot,I ar keyA stem, inserted` in: each slot, each key' stern having .ay holeftheres through, and a plastic bonding materialin such slots about such `keyfstems and in the. key stem holes for bonding the key stems to. the/.key bodies.

2. In a keyboard.. compactly set keys, each having a vertically elongated blocki body, a finger and character well on theztopsurfaceof the key, a convexed front wall and a concaved rear wall. the arcs4 of the front andv rear'wall's having a common radial point, eachv key body havinga. slot, a key stem inserted inv each slot, each' key stem having a' hole therethrough, and.` plastic bonding material in such slots; about such key stems and in the key stern holes for bonding the key stems4 to'the key bodies.

3. In a keyboard, compactly` set keys, each having a verticallyr elongated block body, ai finger and character well onthetop surfaceof the key. a convexed front walland a concavedrear Wall, the aros` of the iront and rear' Walls havingr a common radial poi-nt, each key body having a slot, a key stem inserted in: each slot; each key stern having a hole therethrough and plastic bonding material in: such slots about suchkey stems and. inthe key stem holesv for bonding' the key stems to the. key bodiesgand'a lever extending rearwardly from each stem and having a'` pivot point concentric with the radial points of the arcuate Walls ofthe key bodies.

4. The combination in' a. business.` machine and the like, of a keyboard: comprising compactly'set character keys having' elongated block bodies. character and finger Wells on the top, surfaces of such keys, such keys having arcuate front and rear walls in complementary relationship to the Walls of the adjacent-keys, the arcs'of such front and rear wallsv having a common radial point. each key body having a slot, a key stemy inserted in each slot, each key stem having a hole therethrough, and` plastic bonding material in such slots about such key stems and in the. key stem holesifor bonding the key stems to the key bodies, levers extending rearwardly for such key stems, a common pivot for such levers,` such pivot being concentric with the radial pointof thearcuate key body walls. and framework ofthe machine about such keys, the walls of. such framework being arcuate in complementary relation tothe arcuate walls of the keys adjacent tosuch framework.

5. The combination of a keyboard'in aY business machine, comprising lrows of characterI keys with block bodies and arcuate front and rear walls, arcuate framework adjoining such. keyboard; and

Yarcuate front and rear walls, the relationship of the arcuate walls of the several said parts being in close complementary arcuate relationship of the one to the other.

6. For use in a business machine and the like, a character key having a deep block body, arcuate front and rear walls, and a lever for such key, the radial points of such arcuate walls being concentric tothe pivot point of the key lever.

7. For use in combination with similar keys in a business machine and the like, a character key having a deep block body, a ngcr and character well in the top surface of such key, a convexed front and a concaved rear wall having a common radial point, and a lever fast to such key, the pivot point of such lever being concentric with the common radial point of the convexed front and the concaved rear walls.

8. For use in a business machine and the like, the combination of a character key having a deep block body, a linger and character well in the top surface of such a body, a convexed front and a concaved rear wall, the arcs of which walls have a common radial point, said body having a slot extending upwardly into it from its bottom, a lever for such key, an upwardly projecting stern on such lever extending into the body slot, said lever stem having a hole therethrough, plastic bonding material in such slot about such stern and through such hole for securing the said lever fast to the key body, and a pivot for such lever, such pivot being concentric with the common radial point of the convexed front and concaved rear key walls. I

9. In a business machine and the like, the combination with keys of similar structure, of a character key having a deep block body, a nger and character well in the top surface of such body, a convexed front and a concaved rear wall, the arcs of which walls have a common radial point, said body having a slot extending upwardly into it from its bottom, a lever for such key, an upwardly projecting stem on such lever extending into the body slot, said lever stem having a hole therethrough, plastic bonding material in such slot about such stem and through such hole for securing the said lever fast to the key body, and a pivot for such lever, such pivot being concentric with the common radial point of the convexed front and concaved rear key walls.

l0. In a keyboard of a business machine, ascending rows of keys having arcuate front and rear walls, the arcs of which walls have a common radial point, such keys havingu vertically elongated block bodies separated from one another by a minimum of space necessary to allow movement of such keys, such bodies being sufiicient in depth to allow depression thereof without revealing any opening beneath the immediately adjacent key bodies.

1l. In a keyboard of a business machine of the character described, compact ascending rows of character keys having convexed front and concaved rear walls, the arcs of which walls have a common radial point, such keys having vertically elongated block bodies separated from one another by a minimum of space necessary to allow arcuate movement of such keys, such bodies being suifient in depth to allow depression thereof without revealing any opening beneath the immediately adjacent key bodies, each key body having a slot extending upwardly into it from its bottom, a lever for each of such keys bonded in the slot to the key body, and apivot for such key levers, such pivot being concentric with the common radial point lof the convexed front and concaved rear Walls of the key bodies.

12. In a keyboard for a business machine and the like, a plurality of compact ascending rows of keys having convexed front and concaved rear walls, the arcs of which walls have a common radial point, such keys having vertically elongated block bodies separated from one another by a minimum of space necessary to allow arcuate movement of such keys, such key bodies being suiiicient in depth to allow depression thereof Without revealing any opening beneath the immediately adjacent key bodies, each key body having a slot extending upwardly into it from its bottom, a lever for each key, an upwardly projecting stem on each lever extending into the said key body slot, said lever stem having a hole therethrough, plastic bending material in such slot about such stem and in such hole for securing the lever stem fast to the key body, pivot means for such key levers concentric with said common radial point, framework of the machine about such keys, such framework being arcuately shaped in complementary relation to the arcuate surfaces of the keys immediately adjacent to such framework, a transverse cross-piece of the framework immediately to the rear of the rst row of keys, the bottom edge of such cross-piece overhanging the rear walls of such first row of keys and limited against the tops of such keys, and a tail on such cross-piece depending to the rear of such rst row of keys.

13. In a keyboard of a business machine the combination of ascending rows of keys having arcuate front and rear walls, the arcs of which walls have a common radial point, such keys having block bodies in juxtaposition to one another for sliding contact movement of the one in relation to the other, such key bodies being sufcient in depth to allow depression thereof without revealing any opening beneath the immediately adjacent key bodies, each key having a slot extending upwards into its body, a lever for each key, an upwardly proiecting stem on each lever'extending into the said key body slot. said lever stem having a hole therethrough, plastic bonding material in such slot about such stem and in such hole for securing the lever fast to the key body, pivot means for such key levers concentric with said common radial point, framework of the machine about such keys, such framework being arcuately shaped in complementary relation to the arcuate surfaces of the keys immediately adiacent to such framework, a transverse cross-piece of the framework immediately to the rear of the rst row of keys, the bottom edge of such cross-piece overhanging the rear walls of such first row of keys and limited against the tops of such keys, and a tail on such crosspiece depending to the rear of such rst row of keys.

14. In a keyboard of a business machine, compaotly set rows of keys having arcuate front and rear walls, the arcs of which walls have a common radial point, such keys having block bodies movable in rubbing contact with one another, such bodies being sufficient in depth to allow depression thereof without revealing any opening beneath the immediately adjacent key bodies.

15. To prevent dust from entering through the keyboard of a business machine and the like, compactly set ascending rows of keys having block bodies with arcuate front and rear walls, the

7 front walls being convexed and the rear Walls concave-d, the arc of such. walls having acommon radial point, framework of themachineadjacent to such keys with arcuate` walls in complementary relationship to the arcuate wallsv of thev adjacent keys,` such keysv being. set incompactvrelation. to one another and. to the adjoining, framework andA being limited in such closeness only to that extentaswill allow movement of the keys.

JAN STRENG.

REFERENCES. CITED.

The. following references'y are of recordi ins the le ofthis patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Stanton Apr.. 21 1903 Hall Sept.,18,-1923 Jennings` Apr.. 30,. `193,5 Henryv Oct.l 18 1949 

